I'm 20 and my gums are receding. What should I do? How bad is it really? (Photo)

I would recommend that you consult with a periodontist concerning this recession.  You are very young to have this recession and should not wait to have it addressed.  At some point it may require a gingival graft that would be taken from your palate.  See what a board certified periodontist recommends and then make your decision.  Good luck.  

The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST), invented and patented by John Chao, DDS, MADG, is a scalpel-free, suture-free procedure for correcting gum recession. Through a small hole made by a needle, Dr. Chao uses specially designed instruments to gently loosen the gum tissue and glide it over the receded part of the tooth. Since there is no cutting or stitching, patients can expect minimal post-operative symptoms (pain, swelling and bleeding). Most patients also are pleasantly surprised by the instant cosmetic improvement. The unique features of the Pinhole® Surgical Technique have aroused keen interest on the part of the media. So far news programs at 240 TV stations have featured this scalpel-free technique of treating a problem that is found in half of the U.S. population (JADA, 2003). Dr. Chao made a guest appearance on the nationally syndicated "The Doctors Show," "Dr. Steve Show," "ABC," "NBC," and over 240 other stations across the U.S. and Canada, reaching an estimated 10 million viewers. For this reason, you may have already heard questions and comments from your colleagues and patients about this "breakthrough" method of correcting ginigival recession. 

Thank you for your question regarding gum recession. I agree that you should be concerned if you have gum recession because this exposes the root of your teeth and causes damage over time. There are many different ways that we can improve the gum tissue and coverage and you should be seen by a periodontist for this type of treatment. Good luck!

Hi there, and thanks for your question.
Although you do seem to be showing signs of receding gums, the good news is
that you appear to have caught it early. The first step to alleviating the
issue is determining its cause. Gum recession can have many different causes,
ranging from brushing your teeth too aggressively to certain medical
conditions. I recommend seeing your regular dentist or a periodontist to learn
what's causing your receding gums. Once you understand the cause, you can work
together to find the solution.

First of all, bare minimum, you want to see your dentist to monitor the recession.  However, at your age I would suggest that you take action before the situation worsens.  Whether the recession is caused by extreme brushing, localized bone loss, malocclusion (teeth hitting incorrectly), the ligament/frenum pulling on the gums or unattached gum tissue, it is imporant to figure out the cause so you can discover the best treatment option.  I would recommend evaluation by a periodontist (bone and gum specialist) and look into fixing the cause and work towards how to repair.  Most likely you will require a gingival graft to replace the lost and receeding tissue.